Budeprion

Bupropion is a prescription medication used to treat depression, seasonal depression, and to quit smoking, depending on the form. Bupropion belongs to a group of drugs called antidepressants, which work by affecting certain natural chemicals in the brain. It is not known how bupropion helps patients quit smoking.

This medication comes in immediate release tablets, sustained-release tablets, and extended-release tablets. The immediate release tablets are usually taken 3 or 4 times daily. The sustained-release tablet is usually taken twice daily. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once daily, in the morning.

Common side effects of bupropion include nervousness, constipation, trouble sleeping, headache, and nausea.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of bupropion there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving bupropion.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, or other mental health problems.

Tell your doctor about your other medical conditions including if you:

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if bupropion can harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding. Bupropion passes through your milk. It is not known if bupropion can harm your baby.
• have liver problems, especially cirrhosis of the liver.
• have kidney problems.
• have an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
• have had a head injury.
• have had a seizure (convulsion, fit).
• have a tumor in your nervous system (brain or spine).
• have had a heart attack, heart problems, or high blood pressure.
• are a diabetic taking insulin or other medicines to control your blood sugar.
• drink a lot of alcohol.
• abuse prescription medicines or street drugs.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Many medicines increase your chances of having seizures or other serious side effects if you take them while you are using bupropion.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

If you take too much bupropion call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If bupropion is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store bupropion at room temperature.
• Store out of direct sunlight.
• Keep bupropion in its tightly closed bottle.